Electrical indicating device



S. F. COLE. I.

ELECTRICAL INDICATING DEVICE. APPLICATION men MAY 25. 1915.

1 104,022. Patented May 20, 1919.

v 3 SHEIETS-SHEET I.

Ealf

50- 5 J4 A I I P 57 Ill 1- S. F.,COLE. ELECTRICAL lNDICATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FHED MAY 25,1915

Patented May 20, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- S. F. COLE.

ELECTRICAL INDICAUNG DEVIC E. APPLICATION FILED MAY 25 19:15.

Patented May 20, 1919.

1,304,022. a SHEETS-SHEET 3.

EEE.

A 7 9 A y I A 723Z- 6 :B

u 52 J (9'0 88' .5; Q

ENT o FIoE.

SAMUEL F. COLE, 0F PURCELLVILLE, VIRGINIA.

ELECTRICAL INDICATIN G DEVICE.

Application filed May 25, 1915.

To (Ml whom. it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL F. COLE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Purcellville, in the count I of Loudoun and State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrical In dicating Devices, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to electrical indieating devices in general, but is more particularly designed to indicate the quantity of liquids of an explosive nature, such as gasolcne, alcohol, etc., by means of certain electrical devices located at a distance from the liquid container or other receptacle, either by measure, (gallons) or by the position of the liquid within the container or other vessel.

One of the chief objects of the invention isthe provision for indicating the Waterlevel in a boiler or other vessel and replenishing the same by automatically setting into operation a pump, an injector, or other liquid supplying means, and automatically stopping the operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide for auton'iatically indicating the quantity of liquid within the container or other vessel when it has become diminished to any predetermined level or quantity.

Still another object of the invention is the obtaining of a liquid level indicator or gage by calibrating the face of a volt o-r ampere meter, so that by means of suitable mechanism to vary the voltage or amperage the. quantity of liquid will be indicated, either by measure, (gallons) or by the liquid-level, as for example, full, three-fourths. one-half, one-quarter, empty. 7

Other objects of the invention will become apparent upon a complete disclosure thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1, is a central, vertical section of my liquid level indicator as an entirety; Fig. 1 is a detail enlarged, of the loose con nection supporting the electric-magnet; Fig. 2, a transverse section of the main and auxiliarychambers inclosing the operating devices; Fig. 3, atop plan of the cross connecting-bar, and rings; Fig. r, a top plan of the main float; Fig. 5, a detail of the second ary magnet, armature and brake enlarged; Fig. 6. a. similar view, somewhat enlarged, of the brake and armature; Fig. 7, a. top

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 20, 1919. Serial No. 30,335.

view of the auxiliary float; Fig. 8, a modified form of the upper portion of my device; Fig. 9, a view in transverse section on line A-B and Figs. 10, and 10 are details of the starting and stopping contact.

In the several views, the numeral 2 indicates a main casing, and 3 an auxiliary casing, closed at top and bottom. to form chambers l and 5 respectively, the chamber 1 con taining the devices operated by the main float 6, and the chamber 5 for containing the devices for operating the indicating float 63, and a secondary magnet for releasing the main float 6. The chamber 4: is divided into upper and lower compartments by a thin metal partition 8, the lower compartment containing a double-pole eleetro-magnet 9, to which is attached by means of a hanger strap 10, a spirally shaped or twisted thin metal blade 11, the strap being provided with an upwardly projecting arm 12 journaled in a nipple 13 having a ball-bearing 13 as shown in Figs. 1 and 1. The nipple is internally screw-threaded to receive a screw-threaded plug 14, by means of which the ball-bearing may be adjusted. The said nipple is also externally sere\v-threaded so as to permit of its being inserted into an aperture in the metal partition, and screwed into a nut 15, between which and the nipple 13 the metal partition is clamped. The head of the nut 15 is bored to receive the lower arm of a connector 16, said bore being pro vided with a ball-bearing 17. The upper arm of the connector passes through a connecting-bar 18, suitably insulated therefrom, and is journaled in the bore of a nipple 19 passing through the center of the top of the casing. a screw-threaded plug 20 being enlployed to adjustably confinethe ball-bearing 20 within its bore, and a screw-threaded cap 21 is screwed upon the upper end of the nipple as a closure.

The lower end of the spirally-shaped blade passes through a slot 22 in a dish or plate "23 into a central opening 24 ot' the main float (i. the extreme lower end of the said blade being provided with an arm 25 which is seated in a socket 26 made in a cross-piece 27 which connects the guid bars 28 and 29 together. said socket being provided with a ball bearing 29. Thus it will be seen that the electro-magnet and its attached blade is supported between the ring is a metal ring suitable resistance material.

ball-bearings l3 and 29, and the connectingbar betweenball-bearings 17 and 20 the guide 28 being hollow and longitudinally slotted. The guide 28 is hollow and longitudinally slotted to accommodate brake40 and to permitmovement of brake-lug 39, as hereinafter described.

In the upper compartments of the cham her 4, which is air-tight, is a ring 30 of fiber or other suitable non-conducting material, and embedded in the non conducting 31. Also embedded in. the non-conducting ring is a ring of compressed carbon and graphite or other Fastencd to the connecting-bar 18, at each side of\the center thereof, is an armature 33, and hinged to each end of said connecting-bar is preferably an extension 34,,the under surface of oneextension being provided with a 1 slight depressioniri which is seated a contact ball in'con act with the metal ring 31, and the under face of the other extens on s provided r ngs during the movement of the connecting ,-bar in either direction when the electromagnet is energized. Thehinged extensions 34 are provided with light springs 37, 37

see Fig. 3. which serve to insure contact between the balls 35 and 36 with their respective rings. 7

The float 6 is provided with a vertical groove 38 adapted to engage the guide-rod with an armature push-button; 47 an'ampere or vided with a strip 40 28 and be guided thereby in its vertical movements. The float is also provided with a brake-lug 39 arranged. to be engaged by a brake 4O whereby'said floatis normally held until the magnet 41 is energized, as will be hereinafter explained.

Located inv the chamber 5 is a small secondary magnt'41 inclosed in a casing 41 with its p'ble projecting through the side thereof, so as to attract and make contact 42 fastened to the top of. the brake 40, said armature being proadapted to be contacted by a light vertical spring 43. Pivoted to the side of the guide 28 is the brake 4O Which'has its inner edge provided with teeth 44 adapted to be engaged by the brakelug 39 on the float 6, and hold said float, as heretofore stated,

' The numeral 45 indicates a battery; 46 a volt meter, and 48 an electric lamp or other signal. Line wires 49 and 50 connect the battery with the elect-ro-magnet 9.

In operation: When it is desired to learn the quantity .of gasolene in the tank in which my gage is placed the button 46 is pressed, The current closing the circuit. flows from battery over line wire 49 to the with a similar depression n which is seated a contact ball 36 in conattention in which the current is flowing. The movethe magnet 9 to ment'of the float causes revolve, which in turn, causesthe connecting-bar 18 to revolve. therelease of the" float quent movement of the balls '35 and 36 on their respective metal and resistance rings, the ring 31 being in electrical connection with line wire 49 by conductor 53, and the resistance ring being in with theampere or volt meter 47 by con- Simultaneously with, 6, and the conseelectrical connection ductor 54, the current will pass through ball 35 to connecting-bar 18, from which it passes by way of ball 36 to theresistance ring 32; and thence by way of conductor '54 to the meter 47. The resistance not a complete'annuluabeing provided with an air-gap 55' so as to insure current flowing in proper direction as shown inFig. 3. As the quantity or force of the current 'entering the meter, either gallons or position of the liquid, as hereinbefore' stated, is dependent upon the position 'of the ball 36 on the resistance ring, it will be evident that the position of the float 6, or the quantity of liquid may be thus indicated at a distance from the liquid container. 7 I

As the above described mechanism is operative only when the electric circuit has been closed by means of the push-button 46,

ring iswhich is calibrated in the following described mechanism has been provided, so that a predetermined quantity of liquid may be indicated without special by the operative, or without the use of current 4 until said predetermined quantity is reached.

A screw-threaded rod 56 has its lower end stepped, with a slight vertical play, in a socket-"57made in the connecting-piece 2 7, and has its upper end passing through a flexible disk 58 which is clamped between a flanged nut 58 and a clamping-nut 59, the screw threaded rod 56 being provided with a collar 59 which is also clamp-ed between the clamping nuts 58' and 59. The upper end of the rod 56 is also provided with a thumb-nut 60, in the upper face of which is seated one end of a coil spring 60, the other end of said spring being seated in a cupshaped disk 61, the spring being tensioned by a thumb-screw 62. Vertically movable on the rod 56 is a float 63, said float being I I prevented from rotation by a vertical groove 64, Fig. 7 which engages the guide-rod 28 and by means of which the float is guided in its vertical movements.

The quantity of liquid desired is placed in the container, and the float 63 moved to the level of the liquid by means of the thumbnut 60. The tension force of thespring 60 which is regulated by the thumb-screw 62, will force the rod 56 into the socket 5'7 and as the float 63 is slightly raised, the flexible holder or disk 58 will readily yield to the slight vertical movement of the rod 56. It will be evident that by means of thumbscrew 62 and thumb-nut 60, the operation of this device may be so regulated that the removal of the upward movement of rod 56 caused by the buoyancy of the float 63, will cause a depression of the holder or disk 58, through the medium of the spring 60 During this operation a contact spring 65 will be forced into contact with a contact strip 66 as the thumb-nut 60 is depressed. The contact of the spring 65 with thestrip 66 closes the circuit whereupon the current passes from battery over 'wire 49 to conductor 67 thence to contact 66,-andfrom cont-act 66 to spring 65 and. thence back to battery byway of conductor 68 and lamp 48, the lamp, meter and push-button being located at a distance from the liquid container, but within sight of the operative.

Referring particularly to Figs. 8, 9, 10, and 10", the indicator therein shown is modified to indicate the quantity or position of the liquid, those of an explosive character, stance, as water, and has for its object to automatically start and stop the action of an such for ininjector for a steam or other boiler, or pump pneumatic water system.

The numeral 69 is an air-tight compart menttsimilar to the upper compartment 0 1 the chamber 4:, 1n which 15 arranged a aperture being is attached metal strip or bar 70, adjustably fastened to the wall of the compartment, the other end 0 the strip or bar being provided with a hollow boss or hub 71, in which is received the upper end 7 2 of through an aperture in the connecting-bar 18 and is provided with a ball-bearing, the lined with an insulating 73 the flanged portion thereof. serving to insulate the connecting bar from and to cement or hold said' bar to 72 and the flanged portion of 73.

Located below the connecting-bar is the non-conducting ring 30 in which is embedded the metal ring 31 and the resistance ring 32, and between the connecting-bar and the rings are the contact-balls 35 and 36 in contact with their respective rings. In the present instance the slotted or divided ring to the connecting-bar and rein either direction. The

flanged bushing volves therewith slotted ring may be of any suitable mate'- especially liquids other than f ing as is also the hanger 7 3 which passes rial, and is provided with a starting controlbar 76 and with a stopping control-bar 77, both bars capable of being adjusted at any desired point on the slotted ring by means of thumb-screws 7 6' and 77 respectively, each bar being provided with a horizontal projection 76 and 77 respectively, for a purpose to be presently explained.

Situated in line with the air-gap 55 so as. to be alternately engaged by the projections on the starting and stopping-bars, is an oscillatory contact 78 journaled in the arms of a yoke 79, more clearly shown in Fig. 10, said yoke being fastened to and grounded on the bottom of the compartment. Journal arms 78 and 78 of the oscillatory contact are formed or provided with a bluntointed, cam-shaped upper surface 80 and 80 respectively, upon which one end of a flat spring 80 bears to temporarily hold oscillatory contact to any position to which it may be shifted by the projecting armof either the starting or the stopping-bars, as the connecting-bar and its attached slottedring is moved or rotated in one direction or the other.

Arranged in close proximity to theoscillatory from the casing and provided with a projecting arm 81 at its upper end, said arm starting-bar in the rotatable movement of the slotted ring and connecting-bar, the en broken upon the reverse gagement movement bar.

The numeral 82 indicates the battery; 83 the volt' or ampere meter, calibrated in gallons or level of liquid as is also the slotted ring, and 84 an ordinary electro-magnetic switch. A wire 85 leading from the battery is grounded at X in the bottom of the casthe yoke 79. said stop-plate being of the said ring and connecting- .81 being electrically connected to the switch any approved construction adapted to set into operation a pump.

84:, which may be of or an in ector, and to stop a control circuit 91.

In operation: The current 85 to bottom of casing;

the same, over flowsover line from casing to the oscillatory contactv 7 8 thence to stop-plate stop-plate over conductor 88 81; from said to switch 8 1, and from said switch back to battery, over conductor- 88'. The current also flows from battery to metal ring 31 over conductor 89, and to connecting-bar by Way of the ball 35 from the connecting-bar to resistance ring '32 by way of ball 36; thence to meter over conductor 90, and back to battery over conductor 88. A push button may be installed in the circuit leading to the meter, and a signaling device in the circuit leading to the switch.

contact is a stop-plate 81, insulated.

Supposing the starting-bar to be at the mark indicating ten gallons on the slottedring, and the stopping-bar at 60 gallons as shown on. Fig. 9, upon the circuit being closed the connecting-bar and its attached ring Will be caused to move in. the direction of the arrow, until the stopping-bar breaks the contact between the arm 81 and the upper part of the oscillatory-contact, which hasbeen pushed into contact with said arm by the projection on the lower end of the starting-bar). After the contact is broken, the connecting-bar and itsattached ring, moves'in the opposite direction, (as the Water in the vessel .idiminishes) until the projection on the starting-bar encounters the oscillatorycontact, shifting its position so that its upper part will come into engagement with the arm 81, and set the pump or injector into operation to pump water into the vessel.

Various changes or modifications may be made in the construction of my invention Without departing from the scope thereof, or sacrificing its principle, such for instance, as providing a means to regulate the current to the required voltage, and a packing or stuffing box for the lower bearing of the spirally-shaped blade.

Having thus fully described my invention What I claim, is: v

In an indicating device the combination with a, source of electrical energy and a circuit'from said producing variations in circuit proportional to quantity of liquid to be responsive to the current in sa1d circuit for indicating the variations of the units of the quantity to be indicated and an impermeable'member disposed between the first named means and the surface of the liquid to hermetically separate same.

In a device for indicating the Volume of liquids the combination with a source of electrical energy of a means for causing variations in the current from said source corresponding to variations in the quantity to be measured, a buoyantl operated means for actuating the above described means, an impermeable means forvhermetically sealing the first named means from the buoyant means and means calibrated in units of volume responsive to the variations of current to indicate variations in terms of the units of volume.

3. In a device for indicating the volume of liquids the combination with an electrical measuring instrument calibrated in units of volume, a source of current and circuit conthe current in said neetions between said instrument and said source of a means for causing variations in corresponding to of liquid, means the first named the current in 'the circuit variations in the volume for .lierinetieallv Isolating rhe'ostat for producing hermetically isolating the source of a'means for .in the current means from the liquid to be measured and operated means associated with a buoya-i rtl y actuating the the sa1d Isolating means for first named means.

4. An indicating device .comprising in combination, an electrical measuring instrument calibrated to indicate units of volume, a continuous variations in the current.corresponding to variations in the quantity of liquid to be measured, a buoyantly operated actuating means, a sealing member disposed between the rheostat and the said actuating means and adapted to hermetically isolate same, a means operatively connecting the rheostat and the actuating means and means whereby variations in the indications of said instrument, corresponding to the variations in resistance of said device, are produced.

5. In a device for indicating the quantity of a liquid, the combination with a container, a source of electrical energy and an electrical measuring instrument of a movable contact, a rlleostat adapted to permit continuous engagement between the surface of the resistance element and the said mov able contact, a means for actuating said conproportionally to variations in the quantity .to be indicated and a means for rheostat from the means for actuating the movable contact.

6. An indicating device comprising in combination, a, source of electrical energy, a resistance, a movable contact associated with said resistance, magnetic means for opdicated and means responsive to variations produced by moven'ient of said contact for indicating variations in the quantity of liquid in terms of any desired units.

7. An indicating device comprising in combination, a source of electrical energy, a resistance, a movable contact associated with said resistance. magnetic means for operating said movable contact, means for operating said magnetic means whereby the variations of current from said source are rendered proportional to the quantity of liquid to beindicated, means responsive to variations of current for indicating the variations in terms of any desired units and an automatic means for indicating predetermined amounts of the quantity being indicated.

8. In an indicating device provided with a source of electrical energy. a signal connect-- ed to said source and a buoyantly operated means for operating said signal to indicate a predetermined volume of liquid, the combination of a. rheostat connected to said source, a buoyantly operat d means for acresponsive to the variations in the current for indicating the position of the buoyant means in terms of volume and an imperme able member disposed between the rheostat and its actuating means. 7

9. A device for indicating the level or quantity of a liquid contained in a vessel, said device comprising a suitable float operatively connected to a magnet; a connecting-bar carrying armatures adapted to be attracted by the magnet; means for energizing said magnet to cause the connectingbar to revolve, and means for holding and releasing the float.

10. A device for indicating the level or quantity of a liquid contained in a vessel, said device comprising a suitable float operatively connected to a magnet; a connecting-bar carrying armatures adapted to be attracted by the magnet; an insulating ring provided with a metal ring and a resistance ring; a contact-ball between each ring and the connecting-bar; means for energizing the magnet to cause the revolution oi the connecting-bar, means for holding and releasing the float, a source. of electrical energy, and'a means for indicating variations produced by said resistance.

11. A device for indicating the level or quantity of a liquid in a vessel, said device comprising a suitable float operatively attached to an electro-magnet; a connectingbar carrying armatures adapted to be at tracted by the magnet; an insulating ring provided with a metal and a resistance ring; a contact-ball between each ring and the connecting-bar; a secondary electro-magnet and armature for holding and releasin the float, electrical means for energizing 0th magnets, and a means for indicating the po sition of the float.

12. A device for indicating the level or quantity of liquids in vessels, said device comprising a. suitable float operatively attached to a magnet; armatures adapted to be attracted by the magnet; a means for controlling the movement of the float, an-

. when the predetermined quantity is reache said ring, an oscillatory contact; adapted to be operated by said starting and stopping liars and a means controlled by said oscillatory contact for automatically controlling an electric circuit.

v 14. An automatic device for indicating a predetermined quantity of liquid in a vessel when reached, said device having in combination a suitable float operatively attached to an electr(' magnet; a connecting-bar carrying armatures adapted to be attracted by said magnet; an insulatingring provided with a metal and a resistance'ring; a contact-ball for the metal and resistance rings; means for indicating the position of said contact-ball on the resistance ring, means for holding and releasing the float; anauxiliary float vertically movable on a screwthreaded rod; means for adjusting said auxilary float to, the level of the predetermined quantity of liquid, a sourceof electrical energy and electrical "means for indicatin 15. In an indicating device of the character described, the combination of a rheostat for producing unintermitted variations in the current of an electric circuit with a buoyantly operated means for rendering said variations proportional to variations in the quantity of liquid to be indicated, a means controlled by the rheostat for indicating said variations in terms of the desired units, an impermeable partition separating the rheostat from the buoyant means anda means for operatively connecting the rheostat with the buoyant means.

16. In a buoyantly operated indicating device, the combination with a casing, a float, an electrical measuring device and a source of electrical energy of a rheostat composed of an insulating member with a high resistance bar and a metal contact bar embedded therein a rotatable contact member responsive to movements of said float, electrical circuits operatively connecting the said rheostat with the said measuring instrument and electrical source, means for hermetically isolating the rheostat from the float and means operatively associated with the float for actuating the rotatable contact member. 115

17. A buoyantly operated indicating device comprising in combination, a float, a casing, guide rods attached at their upper ends to said casing and at their lower ends to a cross bar and adapted to prevent rot-ation of said float in its vertical movement, a spiral blade operatively connected to amagnet and pivotally mounted between hearings in the said cross bar and easing, said float-- being adapted to operate said spiral blade 125 and thereby rotate the said magnet, a rheostat confined in the said casing, a. diamagnetic partition in the said casing between the rheostat and the magnet whereby the said rheostat is hermetically isolated from the 180 6 o 0' V magnet, a contact ring assoc1ated with sa1d rheostat, a rotatable contact bar carrying contact balls adapted to engage the said rheostat and contact ring, armatures at-f tached to said contact bar and adapted to said magnet, a means for controlling the vertical movement of the said float, the said contact bar, rheostat and magnet being adapted for connection in circuit with a source of electrical energy, electrical means for indicating the position of the said contact balls on the said rheostatand automatic means for indicating a predetermined quantity of liquid. I 1 7 18. A buoyantly.operatedindicating device comprising in combination, a'f'casing, a float, guide rods attached to said casing, a spiral blade, means operatively'connecting saidfioat to the said f spiral blade, a rheo stat composed of an. annular insulating plate provided with concentric grooves in theface thereof, one of said g'IOOVGS-bfilllg provided v in presence of two witnesses.

with a compressed high resistance substance and the other groove being provided with a tact bar and adapted to coact with'the said magnet to operate the said contact bar upon the release of thesaid float, means for hermetically separating the magnet from its armatures, an electrical measuring device connected in circuit wlth the sa1d resistance 7 member and the contactring of the rheostat and with a source of electrical energy, an electrical circuit connecting the said magnet to the said electrical source and a switch for controlling the said circuits.

.In testimony whereof I affix'my signature L F. COLE. Witnesses:

GEORGE E. TOLSON,.

ANITA COLE.

said float, armatures attached to said con- V 

